Ezulwini frustrates Leopard in drab draw
ROYAL Leopard dropped two precious points after being held to a goalless draw by relegation-battling Ezulwini United at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground on Saturday.
The game ended goalless, which saw the police side (Leopard) go level with Green Mamba and Buffaloes on 38 points but dropped to fourth.
United and Leopard battled at the tiny Prince of Wales Sports Ground, a match that had no clear-cut chances but what appeared genuine penalty claims from either side in the opening half. Referee Wandile Mamba did his best as the second half turned into an intense contest, resulting in both sides resorting to physical play.
United Captain Mpucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini was cautioned for dissent as players lost their tempers during one of the fouls on a Leopard player. However, no player sustained any serious injuries. Both teams had the chance to score and get something out of the match, but it was a share of the spoils in the end.
For United, it was a valuable point that took them above Manzini Wanderers on 18 points to the latter’s 17 at the bottom part of the table. Wanderers were done no favourable by Nsingizini Hotspurs who humbled them 3-0, condemning the hub side further into the relegation quagmire where Denver Sundowns now sit in the basement. Nsingizi is in the fifth spot but also not out of the race as only five points separate them and leader Swallows. Five games remain for every team before the season ends.
Interestingly, all the competing sides at the top are yet to play some tough fixtures, and some even have remaining head-tohead ties.
Sifiso Matse thought he had got it right just before the hour mark, but his welltaken effort missed the agonisingly so.
United’s Msimisi also got an opening inside Leopard’s penalty area, took his shot, beat goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini, but it went off target by a whisker. Leopard did have the ball at the back of the net via the boot of substitute Felix Tetteh Hunusugbo but was offside.
Leopard’s Junior Magagula had a goalbound free kick from 30 yards parried out for a corner kick by man of the match goalkeeper Siyabonga Magagula right at the death. In stoppage time, United substitute Delisa Thwala’s brilliant long drive sailed just over with Mbhonyo out of his goal. Earlier misses in the first half involved Leopard winger Lungelo Tsabedze who felt he deserved a penalty after being fouled while clear on goal inside the box, Junior saw a header go just wide while United’s skilful winger Mukaka Katumba was also felled in the box but penalty was given. At the end of the day, it proved a huge result for minnows, United and a blow for the visitors.
Teams:
Ezulwini United:
Siyabonga Magagula, Mpucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini, Simphiwe Makhanya (Andile Mamba), Mangaliso Nkambule, Msimisi Zwane, Mpendulo Simelane, Thabiso Sithole (Delisa Thwala, Phiwokuhle Ndzingane, Siboniso Motsa, Henock Katumba, Mandla Palma.
R. Leopard:
Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini, Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini (Sibonelo ‘Jekwa’ Simelane), Mzwandile Mabelesa, Mlamuli Msibi, Lungelo Tsabedze (Sandziso Tsabedze), Junior Magagula, Sifiso Matse, Sikhumbuzo Magagula, Mancoba Maseko, Simanga Masangane, Banele Shongwe (Felix Hunusugbo).
Leopard’s Junior Magagula had a goal-bound free kick from 30 yards parried out for a corner kick by man of the match goalkeeper Siyabonga Magagula right at the death. In stoppage time, United substitute Delisa Thwala’s brilliant long drive sailed just over with Mbhonyo out of his
goal.